Beverage container lid

ABSTRACT

A lid for a beverage container. The lid has a drink opening portion that is moveable from a closed position to an open position. When in the open position the drink opening portion forms a depression in the top of the lid. The depression has a floor extending from a radially inner wall to a radially outer wall, the walls being integral with the top of the lid. When pushed into the open position, openings are formed on either side of the depression between the inner and outer walls and the top of the lid and the floor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to beverage container lids, and morespecifically to splash inhibiting beverage container lids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of disposable lids on beverage cups in order to prevent thespilling of the liquid in the cup is well known in the art. These rangefrom the thin lids having an x-shaped punch out portion for inserting astraw as used with soda pop to the more complicated lids used inassociation with hot beverages such as coffee, tea or hot chocolate.

The spilling of hot coffee, tea or hot chocolate provides a two-foldhazard: first, the hot drink can be a burn hazard with the possibilityof a hot spilled drink causing serious injury to the drinker either byburning the individual or by startling the individual (say whiledriving) resulting in an accident; and secondly the coffee, tea or hotchocolate will stain clothing or upholstery it comes into contact withand can be difficult to remove.

Lids for coffee cups therefore need to provide sufficient protectionagainst unwanted spillage while still providing the user with a suitableflow of liquid. Numerous designs have been developed in order to providethis balance.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,61 9,372 teaches a cap for a hot beveragecup. The '372 patent teaches a cap having a depression. The depressionis defined by a sloped surface in the top surface of the cup and adepending wall located adjacent an inner wall of the container. Aplurality of perforations are located in the depending wall to allowliquid to flow into the depression for drinking. The depending wall ispositioned to be in close proximity to the cup wall so as to reduce thepossibility of liquid splashing through the perforations. There is alsoa slit in the depression to allow the aroma of the beverage to beenjoyed. However, this slit is problematic as it provides a verticalopening through which liquid can splash when the cup is jostled.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,991,128 teaches a beverage lid having a regulator valveand a wave-breaker and periphery inhibitor recesses to minimizeaccidental splashing of liquid from the cup. The regulator valve is arecess formed in the top of the cup and has side and bottom walls withapertures formed therein to allow liquid to pass. Preferably, theapertures have a generally tapered portion terminating in irregularlyshaped edges. While providing good splash-prevention characteristics,this is a complicated design and likely involves a costly, two-stepmanufacturing process. In addition, the drink opening is located in thetop surface of the lid, such that any liquid to spill out of the openingcould drip off the lid, staining whatever it comes into contact with.

A further splash-proof lid design is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,145.The '145 design has a splash guard in the form of a semi-permeablemembrane positioned between the liquid contents of the cup and anopening in the cup lid. Boss elements in the cup lid form a centerchannel and, along with the cup itself, outer channels through whichliquid can be channeled and directed towards the opening in the lid. Thesplash guard is set at a downward angle so that liquids drain back intothe cup after a user takes a sip. This design is ineffective when thelevel of liquid within the cup decreases to such a level that it can nolonger flow through the channels (it is blocked by the splash guard).According to the design, the semi-permeable nature of the splash guardwill allow the liquid to pass through it to the opening in the lid.However, any membrane that is permeable enough to allow suitable flow ofliquid to the opening when drinking would be ineffective at preventingsplashing. Alternatively, if the membrane is effective for spillprevention, it is likely too impermeable to allow sufficient liquid flowto the lid opening. A user would be inclined to remove the lid to finishthe drink, increasing the risk of a spill. Also, with the top openingdesign, any liquid to accidentally pass through will likely spill offthe top of the lid.

In addition to the deficiencies identified above, each of these designshas a permanent drink opening in the lid. As most hot drinks arepurchased as take-out beverages, it would be beneficial to have a liddesign having a complete closure.

One such design is currently in use in the marketplace. The lid iscompletely closed, having only a small air vent. It has a drink openingthat can be formed by lifting on the outer lip of the lid and tearingthe plastic along tear lines. The lifted plastic can then be foldedinwards onto the top of the cup lid so as to keep it out of the way of adrinker when drinking from the cup. While providing the benefit of aclosed lid cover, the lid is entirely ineffective at preventingsplashing and spilling when in the open position.

Accordingly, there remains a need for a cost effective beveragecontainer lid that has improved splash prevention features while alsoallowing a suitable flow of liquid when a user drinks from the beveragecontainer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a lid for a beverage cup having a rim.The lid has a top wall bordered by a cylindrical wall sized and shapedto be fitted about the rim to hold the lid in place on the cup. A drinkopening portion in the top wall is movable from a closed position to anopen position. In the open position, the portion forms a depression inthe top wall, the depression having a floor extending from a radiallyinner wall to a radially outer wall and a pair of openings.

In another aspect, the openings are formed between the top wall and theouter edges of the depressed floor.

In another aspect, the drink opening portion is integral with the topwall when in the closed position.

In yet another aspect the floor of the drink opening portion hasadditional material when in the closed position. The additional materialpreferably being in the form of a fold of surplus structural material,the fold being extendable upon moving the drink opening portion from theclosed to the open positions. The lid may be equipped with a pluralityof folds with the folds being in abutment or in spaced separation.

In another aspect, when in the open position, the floor of the drinkopening portion slopes downward in a radially outward direction from theradially inner wall to the radially outer wall.

In another aspect, when in the closed position, the drink openingportion is recessed in relation to the top wall. The lid also has a pairof side walls extending from the top wall to the floor and between theradially inner and outer walls.

The foregoing was intended as a broad summary only and of only some ofthe aspects of the invention. It was not intended to define the limitsor requirements of the invention. Other aspects of the invention will beappreciated by reference to the detailed description of the preferredembodiment and to the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent fromthe following description in which reference is made to the appendeddrawings and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a beverage cup lidaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the beverage cup lid of FIG. 1 taken alongline 2-2 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a beverage cuplid according to the invention with the lid in a closed position, thesectional view being taken along the same cut line (but on a differentlid embodiment) as was used for FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the beverage cup lid of FIG. 3 taken alongthe same cut line, but showing the lid in an open position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a beveragecup lid according to the invention with the lid in a closed position,the sectional view being taken along the same cut line (but on adifferent lid embodiment) as was used for FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the beverage cup lid of FIG. 5 taken alongthe same cut line, but showing the lid in an open position;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a further alternative embodiment of abeverage cup lid according to the invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the beverage cup lid of FIG. 7 taken alongline 8-8 shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top view of yet a further embodiment of a beverage cup lidaccording to the invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the beverage cup lid of FIG. 9 takenalong line 10-10 shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

A number of beverage cup lid designs have been disclosed in the drawingsand will now be discussed in more detail. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a firstembodiment of a beverage cup lid. FIGS. 3 and 4 show a preferredembodiment of a beverage cup lid. FIGS. 5-10 show further alternativeembodiments of a beverage cup lid according to the invention. Eachembodiment will be discussed in turn.

An embodiment of a beverage cup lid 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Lid 10has a substantially planar top wall 2 and a cylindrical perimeter sidewall 6 having structural boss portions 12 to increase the structuralrigidity of the lid. Lid 10 is adapted to be detachably connected to therim 51 of a cup 50 so as to form a barrier to prevent the splashing ofliquid within cup 50 when the cup is moved or jostled.

An angled depression 8 is formed in the top wall 2. The depression ispreferably dimensioned to correspond to a user's mouth. An interior wall18 depends from top wall 2 angling downward and extending and integralwith outer wall 4 which is in spaced separation from perimeter side wall6 a sufficient amount for the rim 51 to be fitted therebetween. Openings16 are formed on either side of the depression 8 between top portion 14and the depression 8. When the cup is tilted, liquid within the cuppasses through the side openings 16 and flows into the depression fordrinking. When liquid in the cup is jostled, it is directed in asideways manner out into the depression by sideways openings 16 ratherthan in a vertical direction. This limits the possibility of liquidsplashing from the cup. Any liquid to flow into the depression 8 willdrain back into the cup when it is oriented vertically.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the preferred embodiment of the lid openingis shown. The cross-sectional view shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is taken alongthe same cut line 2-2 shown in FIG. 1. Some identical portions of thefurther embodiments of the invention have been identified usingidentical reference numerals.

The cup lid is shown in its closed configuration in FIG. 3 and in itsopen configuration in FIG. 4. A depressed floor or depression 28 isformed in top wall 2 extending from inner depending wall 22 to outerwall 4. Depression 28 has additional folds 26 and 30. A pair of sidewalls 24 (only one of which is shown, the other being the mirror imagethereof) depend downward from top wall 2 to depression 28 extending frominner wall 22 to outer wall 4 and are preferably integrally formedtherewith. Preferably, the border 38 between side walls 24 anddepression 28 is made of thinner material than the rest of the cup lid,such that it is easily torn. It is also contemplated that the border 38could be formed with perforations or the like so as to allow tearing andseparation of the depressed floor 28 and the side walls 24.

By applying a downward force (represented by arrow 36) on thedepression, the connection between depression 28 and side walls 24 issevered. The downward force 36 causes folds 26 and 30 to unfold. Thefolds are preferably positioned and sized such that when the downwardforce is applied, the radially outer portion of the depression isdepressed a greater amount then the radially inner portion. In this way,depression 28 is sloped downwards towards the edge of the cup 50 andforms opening 34 between side wall 24 and depressed floor 28. In itsopen position, the cup lid functions in the same manner as the fixedopening cup lid 10.

It is also contemplated that the cup lid could be designed such that inits closed position, the depression 28 is level with top wall 4. When adownward force 36 is applied to tear through border 38 and form drinkopening 34 the depression is then in a recessed position as compared tothe top wall.

Alternatively, a variation of the preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS.5 and 6. The cup lid is shown in its closed configuration in FIG. 5 andin its open configuration in FIG. 6. A depressed floor or depression 48is formed in top wall 2 extending from inner depending wall 42 to outerwall 4. Depression 48 has accordion folds 46. A pair of side walls 44(only one of which is shown) depend downward from top wall 2 todepression 48 extending from inner wall 42 to outer wall 4 and arepreferably integrally formed therewith. The junction between depression48 and side walls 44 is defined by reference numeral 54.

Applying downward force 36 breaks the junction between depression 48 andside wall 44 and causes accordion folds 46 to unfold forming opening 56.In the open position 52 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the depressed floor 48slopes downward from inner wall 42 to outer wall 4 (and a portion of theaccordion fold 46, which is now in abutment with the outer edge of thecup 50).

For both variations of the preferred embodiment (shown in FIGS. 3-6),the folds and accordion folds simply provide the additional materialnecessary to allow the drink opening portion of the lid (the depressedfloor) to be moved from its closed position to its open position havingopenings positioned at the sides. It is also contemplated that otherfold patterns could be used to accomplish this.

A further alternative embodiment of a cup lid 60 is shown in FIGS. 7 and8. Lid 60 has a planar top wall 62, preferably vented. An annular ring64 borders the top wall 62 with wall 65 depending therefrom andextending down to annular channel 66 and terminating in rim 68. Annularchannel 66 is adapted to be connected to rim 51 of cup 50. A drinkingdepression is formed in the top wall 62 of the cup and is defined by twoarcuate walls 72 and 74 joined at their ends, and a floor 70. Preferablythe arcuate walls 72 and 74 are sloped. A horizontally disposed opening76 is defined in the radially outer arcuate wall 74. The depression ispreferably sized to provide a good fit for a user's upper lip and mouth.

Wall 65 elevates the top portion of the lid above the rim 51 of the cup50. The depression forms a channel between outer arcuate wall 74 andwall 80, with annular ring 64 forming the base of the channel (or top ofthe channel when viewed with the cup in the vertical position as shownin FIG. 8). A rounded depression 80 is preferably formed in the wall 65so as to provide a more comfortable fit for a drinker's bottom lip. Thisadds to the drinkability and comfort of the lid. Tilting a filled cupfitted with lid 60 causes liquid to move into the channel and throughopening 76 and into a drinker's mouth. Should liquid within the cup besubjected to undesired movements causing waves, splashing is limitedthrough the combination of the channel and the positioning of theopening 76 in wall 74. Any liquid passing through the opening movesinward into the depression where it drains through drainage opening 79back into the cup. Spillage from the cup is thereby prevented.

Preferably, a straw opening is also formable in the depression. As shownbest in FIG. 8, the plastic material is much thinner in the areaidentified by reference numeral 77. Pushing on this portion of the lidwith a straw will cause the thin portion to give way thereby allowingthe straw to be inserted into the cup. It is also contemplated that area77 could be in the form of perforations. Other openings such as thex-pattern perforation used in softdrink lids could also be used.

Yet another embodiment of a cup lid 90 is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Lid90 has a planar top wall 92 terminating in a reinforcing rim 96. Outerwall 97 depends therefrom, extending down to arcuate channel 98 andterminating in rim 100. Arcuate channel 98 is sized to be detachablyconnected to rim 51 of cup 50 so as to hold the lid in place. Adepressed floor 102 slopes downward from border 104 to sloped inner wall110 which extends downward from reinforcing rim 96. A pair of walls 106border on either side of depressed floor 102 and have openings 108formed therein and defined on one side by a portion of depressed floor102 and on another side by inner wall 110. The openings 108 face eachother and direct any liquid into the depression, thereby preventing anyunwanted spillage and splashing.

Preferably the lids will be manufactured using plastic, however it isalso contemplated that other materials could also be used.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the preferredand alternative embodiments have been described in some detail but thatcertain modifications may be practiced without departing from theprinciples of the invention.

1. A lid for a beverage cup having a rim comprising: a top wall borderedby a cylindrical wall, said cylindrical wall sized and shaped to befitted about said rim of said beverage cup so as to hold said lid inplace on said cup; a drink opening portion in said top wall beingmovable from a closed position to an open position; and wherein when insaid open position said portion forming a depression in said top wall,said depression having a floor extending from a radially inner wall to aradially outer wall and a pair of openings through which liquids mayflow.
 2. The lid of claim 1 wherein said openings being formed betweensaid top wall and the outer edges of said depressed floor.
 3. The lid ofclaim 2 wherein said drink opening portion being integral with said topwall when in said closed position.
 4. The lid of claim 3 wherein saiddrink opening portion having additional material when in said closedposition.
 5. The lid of claim 4 wherein said additional material being afold, said fold being extendable upon moving said drink opening portionfrom said closed position to said open position.
 6. The lid of claim 5wherein said drink opening portion having a plurality of folds.
 7. Thelid of claim 6 wherein said folds being in abutment.
 8. The lid of claim7 wherein said folds being in spaced separation.
 9. The lid of claim 2wherein in said open position, said floor of said drink opening portionsloping downward in a radially outward direction from said radiallyinner wall to said radially outer wall.
 10. The lid of claim 3 whereinwhen in said closed position, said drink opening portion being recessedin relation to said top wall.
 11. The lid of claim 10 wherein said lidfurther comprising a pair of side walls extending from said top wall tosaid floor and between said radially inner and outer walls.
 12. A lidfor a beverage cup having a rim comprising: a top wall bordered by acylindrical wall, said cylindrical wall sized and shaped to be fittedabout said rim of said beverage cup so as to hold said lid in place onsaid cup; a drink opening portion in said top wall being movable from aclosed position to an open position, said drink opening portion beingintegral with said top wall when in said closed position; and whereinwhen in said open position said portion forming a depression in said topwall, said depression having a floor extending from a radially innerwall to a radially outer wall and a pair of openings through whichliquids may flow, said openings being formed between said top wall andthe outer edges of said depressed floor.